Asif, Shaheen in Pakistan A squad for New Zealand A Twenty20s

LAHORE - Middle-order batsman Asif Ali and 18-year old pace sensation Shaheen Afridi will turn out for Pakistan 'A' in a three-match T20 series against New Zealand, commencing from October 12 (Friday), at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai. Left-handed batsman Umar Amin has been made captain in the 13-member squad.

After establishing himself as a hard-hitting batsman in the third edition of the PSL earlier this year, Asif made his Pakistan debut in T20I against the Windies in a three-match series in Karachi. He, however, initially failed to impress at the senior level as he managed only 41 runs in first five outings with the bat. Though, he is yet to score a fifty in the format, the 27-year-old scored 117, getting out only once, in four innings during a triangular T20I series involving Zimbabwe and Australia in July. The 27-year old averages 39.50 in the format. Asif recently turned out for Pakistan in the Asia Cup in what was his second ODI assignment for Pakistan.

18-year old Afridi is another notable inclusion in the squad. The lanky left-arm medium-fast bowler put up impressive performances with the ball in the Asia Cup that earned praises from the experts and fans alike for his impeccable line-and-length bowling. On his ODI debut, he returned 2 for 38 against Afghanistan. It is pertinent to mention that three regulation catches were put down off his bowling. Like Asif, he also made his Pakistan debut in a T20I series against the Windies.

After Mohammad Rizwan was elevated to Pakistan's senior side, 28-year-old Mohammad Hasan will take gloves behind the stumps. The rest of the matches will be played on October 15 and 17 at the same ground.